Environmentally friendly destinations are experiencing a boom in popularity as more and more people embrace the importance of sustainable tourism practices. Around the world, there is an amazing array of green getaways and ecolodges that merge luxury and comfort with earth-friendly practices, all amid spectacular surroundings. Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing seaside accommodations, a palatial wellness resort, or a nature-inspired exotic locale on the edge of the world, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect sustainable spot to satisfy your wanderlust.
01 Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu, Hawaii
Hawaii’s breathtaking and natural beauty makes it one of the top travel havens in the world. Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore is just an hour’s drive from Waikiki. The focus of this sustainable resort is to protect the natural landscape through sustainable practices, while also providing a spectacular travel destination. The on-site restaurants and bars use locally grown, organic ingredients purchased from island farmers. And eco-conscious doesn't mean there's nothing but nature walks. Scenic waterfall hikes, snorkeling, helicopter tours, and kayaking are just some of the adventures you’ll find here.
02 Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Savusavu, Fiji
For decades, the name “Cousteau” has been synonymous not only with protecting the world’s oceans but also with responsible tourism. The five-star Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort was one of the first to put sustainable theories into practice and concoct ways to involve their guests in their efforts. You’ll find the luxurious retreat on the south coast of Fiji’s second-largest island, Vanua Levu, overlooking magnificent Savusavu Bay and the Pacific Ocean. People from around the globe come here for its world-class diving center, family-friendly adventures, wellness options, and culinary excellence.
03 El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa, Taos, New Mexico
Ecolodges adopt sustainable practices to support their natural setting, and this hotel is an excellent example. Not only does the establishment reclaim rain and wastewater, but they’ve also created a self-sustained environment with plants, rocks, and fish. The Egyptian, Tibetan, Native American, and Balinese-inspired stone guest rooms — with adobe-style fireplaces, carved furniture, and hardwood floors — create a natural and relaxing aesthetic. Rejuvenate your spirit with organic products in the spa or enjoy the cuisine at the award-winning restaurant, De La Tierra.
04 Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
Constructed from sustainable materials, this top-rated inn overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is just an hour south of Monterey. Travelers seeking to unplug and relax in a rustic-but-indulgent atmosphere won’t be disappointed. Private hot tubs and wood-burning fireplaces create the perfect atmosphere for unwinding. Join star-gazing excursions, swim in one of the magnificent pools, take in an outdoor yoga class, or embark on a hike through the pristine surroundings that serve as a habitat for some of California’s endangered species.
05 Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Playa del Carmen is a legendary party capital, but just miles away, this serene, gated sanctuary lies amid a spectacular natural environment. Leading ecotourism groups recognized this beachfront resort for its green efforts including the elimination of single-use plastics and an energy-saving towel reuse system. The activities here also support sustainable practices, from organic spa treatments to birdwatching and fascinating canal cruises.
06 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, New York
Picture nature-inspired decor, filtered water taps, organic bedding, and farm-to-table cuisine decked out in elegant and comfortable decor and you’ll understand the essence of this environmentally conscious Brooklyn gem. Room furnishings include reclaimed wood and artisan-created furniture and decor. Special eco-shower heads reduce water waste. During the warmer months, enjoy unique cocktails and snacks on the rooftop while looking out over the New York City skyline.
07 The Green House, Bournemouth, England
Lying on the country’s southern coast, just 100 miles southwest of London, the 32-room Green House has an environmentally inspired interior, complete with upcycled furniture, artisan-created carpets, and vegetable ink wallpaper. Energy-efficient lighting, solar electricity and heating, induction cooking, and luxury eco beds lower the carbon footprint even further. The hotel proprietors patronize only those suppliers who also follow sustainable guidelines. This is one of the top wedding and celebration venues in the country because of its beautiful surroundings and long list of thoughtful amenities.
08 Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve, Cederberg, South Africa
Nestled within a magnificent and untouched wilderness, Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve lets guests choose their rusticity, offering options from cave suites to timeshare chalets. Find even more seclusion in one of the open-air suites, where you can drift off to sleep watching star-filled skies overhead. The facility uses recycled water wherever possible, along with an eco-friendly hybrid energy system. Because of its remote location, limited cell phone reception and WiFi are available only at the main lodge, so guests can truly unplug and commune.
09 Spity Hotel, Nice, France
For travelers seeking accommodations with a focus on green energy and a high-fashion, ultra-modern design, this is the place for you. If that isn’t enough, add on the fabulous ocean views, a spacecraft-style bar, spa services, air conditioning, and luxurious gardens. This resort is an example of sustainable sourcing. Its designers integrated social, ethical, and performance factors into the selection of suppliers in its construction, and this dedication to the planet continues in its day-to-day operations.
10 Trisara, Phuket, Thailand
If you need spiritual and physical recharging, the Trisara resort is an ideal getaway. It sits along the scenic coast of the Andaman Sea in northwestern Phuket. The inspiration for the name comes from the third heaven and mythical tropical garden paradise, Trisara, from the Buddhist tradition. Privacy and tranquility are among the prized offerings here, but so are its sustainable practices, from a no-plastic policy to its grey-water recycling systems.
11 Eagles Palace, Halkidiki, Greece
Filtered pool water, waste separation, and low-energy lightbulbs are just some of the ways this resort is working towards a more eco-friendly operation. But unlike other luxury vacation destinations, Eagle Palace takes that initiative further by producing its olive oil on-site, cutting down on the massive carbon footprint that shipping the high-demand product leads to. Stunning seaside views, golden-sand beaches, award-winning spa therapies, and five-star luxury create an unforgettable experience.
12 Six Senses Laamu, Laamu Atoll, Maldives
Eco-luxe defines ecologically friendly luxury and there’s no shortage of it at Six Senses, a chic-but-comfortable private beach resort in the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean. Preserving its underwater ecosystems is a priority for the exclusive resort. They convert organic waste into organic garden soil, ban single-use plastics, and grow microgreens, mushrooms, and other vegetables on-site. Enjoy island hopping, jump aboard a dolphin cruise, or participate in a guided exploration of ancient traditions and rituals.
13 Conscious Hotel Vondelpark, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
From its biodegradable furnishings to its green, rooftop home for bees and butterflies, a majority of this motel is sustainable. It’s also powered through renewable sources and has received the Green Key Gold, a high standard for tourism in the country. One of the first visual signs that it’s an eco-friendly operation is the living plant wall in the lobby. Reuse and recycle is a rule here, and the only food and beverages they serve are organic. The hotel is near Amsterdam’s most famous park: Vondelpark.
14 Hermitage Bay, Antigua
Head to Antigua’s secluded western shore to get to this Caribbean five-star resort, where you’ll find private bungalow suites facing the ocean and panoramic views of phenomenal sunsets. Feast on organic cuisine or explore exotic spa treatments. The resort’s construction used only sustainable farmed wood, with extensive planning to prevent disturbance of the vegetation and coastal ecosystems.
15 Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland, Canada
A top eco-friendly Canadian resort, you’ll have to travel to a far corner of the earth to experience this one-of-a-kind, award-winning locale. You’ll find the inn on Fogo Island, just off the northeast coast of Newfoundland, in the Atlantic Ocean. Every room features floor-to-ceiling windows that deliver endless, breathtaking seascape views. All operations are based on sustainable practices here, from ethical suppliers to the installation of solar thermal panels for heating the water supply.
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